TROY – The City Council listened to about 100 residents Thursday night speaking for and against a sanctuary city resolution that was later approved in a 4-3 vote.

The five-member Democratic council majority redrafted the resolution and renamed it the Families and Communities Together Act in an effort to tone down opposition and placate citizens and Democratic Mayor Patrick Madden, who does not support the legislation.

The original legislation was tabled Dec. 6 as the resolution became a flash point, splitting the city’s liberal and conservative residents. Speakers Thursday split almost evenly over the idea. Emotions flashed several times in the crowd during the public comment.

“I don’t understand why you’re giving people sanctuary who are breaking the law,” said Joe Thomas of First Street.

Matthew Sekelick of Fourth Street countered, “Federal law is often not on the side of justice. You have to take action in defiance of an unjust law.”

Sanctuary city status has become an issue in an election year for the seven council seats and the mayor’s position. Republican candidates have been using the resolution to try to rally support in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

The revamped resolution more clearly defines responsibilities of city employees in dealing with undocumented immigrants, including not cooperating with non-judicial immigration holds placed on them by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It also includes appointing a reinvigorated city Commission on Human Rights to fight discrimination.

Mantello, council president, and Gulli, of the 1st District, have introduced a local law to have city voters cast ballots on the sanctuary city issue in November. Democrats are expected to defeat it when it comes to a council vote.

Mantello is pushing this as she faces a challenge from Bissember, D-5th District, who has led the effort to past the resolution with Cummings, D-4th District.

Madden wrote a lengthy memo to Democratic council members outlining his concerns and what the city does in dealing with undocumented immigrants.

“The term “sanctuary city” has no legal meaning. It is an imprecise term that can and often does refer to a wide array of state and local policies on immigration enforcement. Lacking a precise meaning it tends to create confusion as well as an unsubstantiated set of expectations,” Madden said to his fellow Democrats.

The council Democrats’ efforts has come as Rensselaer County Republicans have embraced tougher efforts on undocumented immigrants.

County Clerk Frank Merola has joined other county clerks around the state to oppose state legislation granting drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. Merola has said he will not issue licenses to undocumented immigrants.

The Democrats’ amended resolution condemned Merola and County Executive Steve McLaughlin for “numerous public statements aimed at inciting xenophobia in our community and have committed to collaborating with federal immigration authorities regardless of state law.”

“It’s easy for someone to take that stance when they don’t do anything. This county will not issue drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants,” Merola said previously.

County Democrats have also opposed Sheriff Patrick Russo’s participation in the 287(g) program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the agreement, inmates at the county jail are checked to see if an immigration hold has been placed on them. In the last year, three inmates have been identified through the program.